Are you interested in web content writing? This is one area of the freelance writing industry that is quite lucrative. Along with this, there are always companies and webmasters on the lookout for writers.
This weekend, I received a couple of emails asking how to find web content clients. While this is a broad question with many answers, I am going to throw out two methods:
1. Online job boards. One of the best ways to find web content clients is through sites like Craigslist, Elance.com, Freelancer.com, and All Freelance Writing. Yes, it will take time to check these sites everyday. On top of this, you will be stuck sifting through hundreds upon hundreds of listings. But if you truly want to find clients in need of web content, this is something that you have to do.
2. Cold emails. This is one method of generating web content clients that many freelancers swear by. The process goes something like this: find a website that you are interested in; contact the site owner or anybody else who you can find an email address for; explain your situation and what you bring to the table; hope that they are in the process of looking for freelance writers.
The thing to remember about cold emails is that this is “hit or miss.†You may send 25 emails with no response just to find that the next two people are interested in hiring you. In other words, be persistent if this is how you are going to find new clients.
3. Referrals. I have found this to be the best way to drum up new online business. Do you currently have any web content clients? If so, ask them to pass your name around to others who may be interested in your services. You may be surprised at what this can do for your business. Word of mouth marketing is essential to growing your business. Make sure you do good work so your current clients pass your name along to others.
Hopefully this advice can help you find more web content clients in the near future. It may be too basic for advanced writers, but those just getting started should find it helpful.
Do you take the time to speak with other freelance writers when you get the chance? Or do you run the other way because you don’t think they have anything to offer? Over the years I have found that there are many benefits of staying in touch with other writers. Below are just a few:
1. No matter how much experience they have, you can learn something from every freelance writer. You should be interested in advancing your career, day in and day out. Ask questions of other writers, and take their advice to heart. You don’t have to listen to everything you hear, but you may be surprised at how much you can pick up from others.
2. Teach. It is great to learn from other freelance writers, but you should be willing to return the favor if at all possible. If somebody asks you a question, make sure you answer them as best you can. When you help somebody else they are more likely to do the same for you in the future.
3. Ask questions. Instead of beating around the bush when speaking with other freelance writers, come out and ask questions that have been on your mind. This gives you the chance to dig down to the deep details that have been bugging you. An experienced freelancer can probably answer all your questions – no matter what they may be.
4. Make new friends! Through my years as a freelance writer I have learned a lot from others. And along with this, I have come to make many new friends. This alone is reason enough to open up and speak with others anytime you get the chance.
By now, you should be able to see why it is a good idea to speak with other freelance writers. Do you make a habit of doing this?
As a freelance writer, it is safe to say that you work from home. Sure, I know a few freelancers who have “outside†offices but this is not very common. One thing I have found to be true over the years is that you must keep your home office organized if you are going to achieve long term success. If you are worried about this you are not alone. Just like most people I have a difficult staying organized. Fortunately, there are some tips that have helped me in this area over the years.
1. Give yourself space. With a big enough office you will always have room to store anything and everything that has to do with your career. It is much better to put things away than to leave them out in the open. Do you have a closet in your home office? How about filing cabinets or other furniture with drawers? No matter what it may be, try to put away items that you will not be using on a regular basis.
2. Don’t be a pack rat. This is a problem that I have suffered from for many years. Simply put, I hate throwing anything away. In the back of my mind, I always think that I will need to use the item again in the future. Of course, this is very rarely the case. Take it from me – don’t become a pack rat.
3. If you take it out, put it away. How many times have you taken out a file, worked on it, and set it on your desk instead of back in your filing cabinet? This happens to me time and time again. While I am getting better at putting things away, this is still an issue that plagues me.
These three tips should help you keep your home office better organized.
